Claims chopper funding cut weakens lifesaving patrols

Surf Life Saving SA says a decision to cut shark patrol funding for its helicopter service in favour of plane patrols will hinder its other lifesaving services this summer. The South Australian Government says the planes are cheaper meaning they can fly an extra 170 hours but it denies the decision was budget-based.

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ELEANOR HALL: A regime of aerial shark patrols began in South Australia on the weekend, to increase coastline monitoring over summer. But surf life savers say the new patrols come at too high a cost.

The surf life savers have had to cut back on their helicopter patrols, which will also affect their resuscitation and first aid services.

In Adelaide, Rebecca Brice reports.

(Sound of helicopter)

REBECCA BRICE: This is a sound Adelaide beachgoers are hearing less of this summer.

For seven years the surf life saving helicopter has patrolled the coastline, on the hunt for sharks encroaching on unwary swimmers.

In the past it's shared the patrols with planes from the University of South Australia, but Shane Daw from Surf Life Saving SA says a government decision to award the university a tender for more flights has cost it about $150,000.

SHANE DAW: We have had a reduction in our hours of flying time as the Government has determined that it's put that money towards the fixed wing patrols to try to get more aerial support for shark sightings but it does mean that our helicopter will be flying about one-third less its normal time.

REBECCA BRICE: The Surf Life Saving Association has already begun slashing helicopter flying time. With cooler weather on the weekend, it cut back from six hours to two to bank up time for hotter peak periods.

The Government points out that the planes will fly for more than 900 hours this summer - an extra 170 hours on last year.

But Shane Daw says the chopper can land where planes can't and they do more than just look for sharks.

SHANE DAW: What we're looking at is a total life saving service picture in that the helicopter, not only will it continue to do shark spotting, but it will do preventative actions, being able to herd sharks out to sea, but it can land and do resusces, it can provide first aid, it can stay around an area and provide other support and do other activities which we think helps support the bathing community and also help us deliver on our core purpose, which is actually saving lives.

REBECCA BRICE: The Government says the shark patrol funding isn't meant to support other surf life saving services.

The Emergency Services Minister Jennifer Rankine highlights the cost of the chopper.

JENNIFER RANKINE: They undertook 69 hours of patrolling on weekends and public holidays last summer and that was at a cost of $1800 an hour compared to you know a bit over $300 an hour for the plane on weekdays and $400 over weekends and public holidays.

REBECCA BRICE: Despite that, she denies the decision was budget-based.

JENNIFER RANKINE: It was just considered to be overall a superior tender that was put in over about nine different areas that were assessed.

REBECCA BRICE: And what were those areas? What were the areas it was better?

JENNIFER RANKINE: Oh well, I don't like to go into the detail of that, I don't think that's fair.

REBECCA BRICE: Are you confident that lives won't be put at risk as a result of this decision?

JENNIFER RANKINE: We have three state rescue helicopters located very nearby so if the spotter plane requires helicopter response, you know, we have them close by to respond so I'm very confident that we have a better service than we've been able to provide in the past.

REBECCA BRICE: Shane Daw.

SHANE DAW: South Australia has got 1,700 beaches and we know that there's no way we're going to be reaching all those, but at least with our clubs for the patrol, our jet rescue boats, our jet skis and then put that with the helicopter, we can cover a lot more areas.

REBECCA BRICE: Surf Life Saving SA is now looking for corporate sponsorship to substitute its helicopter budget.